Potter Hosts Third Annual Clint "Gus" McCrea Memorial Youth Bull Riding Competition

On August 24, the third annual Clint "Gus" McCrea Memorial Youth Bull Riding competition was held in Potter. The event is held each year to raise awareness of suicide and self-harm in the Rodeo and Bull-Riding Community and is named for Clinton McCrea of Potter, who passed away on March 31, 2019.

The event is for youth Bull riders between the ages of 2 and 19 years of age. They are trying to build up youth Rodeo and Bull Riding events in Colorado and Wyoming, as well as locally. There has been an underlying and alarming trend of self-harm and suicide in the riding community, and the Memorial Youth Bull Riding event is a great way to raise awareness about this problem.

Besides building up the Bull Riding community in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, the event raises awareness on the issue of suicide and self-harm. With the slogan "It is OK to not be ok--you're not alone", the event will help those in our communities that feel isolated or are struggling with mental health issues.

The event has attracted several sponsors looking to help get the word out about the problem of suicide and self-harm in the agricultural community.

The winners received buckles and bragging rights. The Winner of the Walk-Trot for ages 2 through 6 was Brantley Roper; the Winner of the Junior Mini for ages 9 to 11 was Tregon Apodaca; Zane Bunker took the honor of winning the Senior Mini for ages 12 and 13.

There were no qualified rides in the Junior (ages 14 and 15 ) or the Senior Bull Riders (ages 16 through 19).